Newborn Fevers – Just What New Parents Have To Know
If you are a new mother and you happen to be concerned that your newborn could possibly be getting sick, you may also be concerned that your infant has a fever. Check your child’s forehead, if he or she is hot to the touch, than your probably right. Having a rectal thermometer around the house to confirm or deny your suspicions is generally a good idea. Monitoring your baby’s body temperature will also help your physician in diagnosing and/or treating him.
Usually, a fever signifies infection but at times infants are completely healthy with a slight temperature. Focus on how the infant is behaving; is the infant eating and sleeping normally? Also look for any skin discolorations, small purple blotches can indicate a serious bacterial infection. Check to make sure that he or she is breathing properly, and see if there is any build-up or phlegm blocking the airways.
Keep in mind our body temperature varies throughout the day. It is almost always elevated in the late afternoon and early evening just before lowering sometime at night and into the early morning. A normal baby’s temperature fluctuates between 97 and 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (36-38 Celsius) The more youthful your child is, the much more concerned you should be about a high fever. Just as a guideline, you might want to take your baby to the medical center if they are less than 3 months old and their fever rises above 100.4 F(38C), when they’re 3-6 months old and their fever rises above 101 F (38.3C), or when they’re older than six months and their fever is higher than 103 F(39.4C).
Sometimes you are able to give your baby an over the counter baby fever reducer, like children’s acetaminophen or, with infants older than six months, ibuprofen. Make certain to check with your doctor just before giving any non-prescription medicine to your newborn infant, particularly if he or she is on a prescription medication. You can also try offering a lukewarm (not cold) bath, as this will sometimes lower the fever. Should you have your suspicions, it’s probably best to just take them to your physician. In the end, it’s much better being safe than sorry.
